Our community is home to incredible athletes who not only achieve greatness, but are deeply invested in giving back.
We sat down with Roxi McNabb—wife of NFL legend Donovan McNabb, mother of four, former athlete, and the driving force behind the Caris Sports Foundation. Here's how Roxi's investing in the next generation and shaping futures.
Let’s start at the beginning—where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. I'm the youngest of eight kids, so you learn to be tough early on. Everything in our house was a competition.
Soccer was my first love, but I was recruited more heavily for basketball.
And that led you to Syracuse?
Yes. I ended up getting a basketball scholarship. I stayed for five years and earned my master’s degree.
You met Donovan at Syracuse...
We met in history class. I used to show up in my sweats after practice, and one day, he asked me, “Why do you always come in here looking like that?” I told him I had practice, and he didn’t believe me because I’m 5’3." So he started walking through the gym and saw me playing, and eventually, he realized, okay, she’s legit.
When did you realize he was the one?
We were just kids—both of us focused on our sports and school. But over time, we built something special, and we always found our way back to each other.
How did you balance your own career ambitions with Donovan’s rising NFL career?
After Syracuse, I went to work for the Big East Conference while he was in Philly. Then, I got a job at Villanova's athletic department, so we made it work. Eventually, when we started a family, I transitioned into staying home full-time, because let’s be real—managing four kids and an NFL schedule is a full-time job.
What was it like being the wife of an NFL quarterback?
It was fun, but it came with challenges—especially in Philly, where the fans are passionate. I had to tune out the noise, stop listening to sports radio, and just support Donovan through the highs and lows. But I never saw myself as just an “NFL wife.” I was always an athlete first. I’d rather be in sneakers than heels.
Why did you and Donovan decide to build a life in AZ?
Donovan had trained here in the off-seasons. He loved it, and when he started working in TV post-football, it made sense to settle here. Plus, you can’t shovel sunshine.
You’re raising four incredible kids—tell us about them.
Our oldest daughter is 20, finishing college early with a business degree and heading into a dual MBA/MPA program. She plays basketball, and we’re incredibly proud of her. Then, we have 16-year-old twins—our daughter plays basketball and softball, and our son plays football and hockey. And our youngest keeps us busy with sports, too.
With your own athletic background, what kind of sports parent are you?
I try not to be a sideline parent, but it’s hard! (Laughs) My expectation isn’t that they score all the points—I just want them to hustle and do their part. I think the hardest thing as a sports parent is teaching them how to handle losses. Sometimes, the best thing you can do after a tough game is just take them for ice cream and let them decompress.
As parents, we must remember—it’s not about raising the next pro athlete. It’s about raising great people who can take what they learn from sports into life.
Who’s a better coach—you or Donovan?
He’s definitely more technical. He has this incredible memory—he remembers every play, every moment, and can break down skills in such detail. I’m more of an in-game coach. I can read the flow of the game, make adjustments, and put players in the best position to succeed. He’s all about preparation, while I’m about execution in the moment. He's always been proactive in coaching our kids- from flag to softball.
Do you get loud on the sidelines?
I try not to be (HA!). As an athlete, I know what it takes, so I expect my kids to hustle and do their part. I only get frustrated if they’re not giving their best effort. My husband is definitely louder than me... He’s that dad yelling, “Shoot the ball!”
Let's talk about the Caris Sports Foundation.
It started when Donovan and I were coaching club basketball. We saw firsthand how expensive club sports are, and how many kids couldn’t afford to play. We were helping a few kids ourselves, but we realized we could do so much more. So we built Caris to provide scholarships for kids to play sports—whether it’s a recreational league or competitive travel teams.
What kind of impact has Caris had?
In 2024 alone, we gave out over 90 scholarships. We help kids in all sports—from soccer to dance. We’ve funded kids who are now playing in college, and even one girl who was just called up to Ecuador’s senior women’s national soccer team.
Our goal is to raise even more so we can fully fund scholarships instead of just partial support.
We have two big fundraisers a year. In April, coming up, we have our Caris Golf Tournament, and in November, we host Sneakers & Cocktails. And we’re always accepting donations.
Register for the 5th Annual Caris Sports Foundation Golf Tournament at Whirlwind Golf Club on April 25th, 2025: carissportsfoundation.org
"I never saw myself as just an NFL wife—athlete first, always."